Growing Sesame for Doves?

[Aging Baby Boomer]

Thinking ahead to next year, we're looking for something that will attract doves, but isn't targeted by deer. Could sesame be our answer?

What I think I've gleaned from "googling" the 'net:

-Can use treflan, poast and other herbicides (similar to sunflowers)
-Sesame is more drought tolerant than some other row crops
-Foliage is not a preferred deer food
-100 to 120 day maturity

For those that have grown sesame or have experience with it, what's the deal? Does it attract doves? What are the best soil types?

[DMP]

get in the game did a tv show on it for doves. Eco could probably tell you something about it but from what ive heard its a dove magnet.

[Blakeley]

Sesame is great for doves and never had a deer mess with it in significant amounts.

About 2 years ago I saw a fungus show up on the leaves and nailed my normal seed production. Extension said it was some kind of fungus, maybe frog eye leaf spot (I can't remember), and told me to rotate to another crop for 3 years instead of spending cash on a chemical.

So I wait. Next year it's going back in. I was unaware that I could use sunflower chemicals. Good to know now! We have to constantly run the rolling cultivator.

It has great drought tolerance and hates it's feet wet.

Edit: We run it thru a 4-row, 36'' wide with low rate sorghum cups. That seemed to get us a fair population without too much seed being packed in.

[Aging Baby Boomer]

Texas A&M indicates that there are no chemicals actually labeled for sesame, but Treflan (trifluralin) is commonly used pre-plant incorporated by farmers in Texas. Poast and other chemicals (see link) are tolerated post-emergence, over the top.

http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/agronomy/factshet/sesame.htm

Any idea whether it is drought tolerant enought to make on Lakeland sands, assuming we get normal rainfall?

We watched the Tigers play Saturday night, so our first dove hunt is today. Can't wait!!

[tkohn]

My Brother planted it in our field one year. The thing I remember we did not like was the pods did not all get ready at once like the proso and sunflowers. It would be something good to let stand until later in the season IMO. Maybe it was some type we planted that was like that - no expert on it -

[Blakeley]

Tkohn,

Staggered seed development is a good thing, IMO. More food for later on in the season. Now, I would not allow it to stand thru a season. Once those pods open up the seed is falling to the ground via conditions and/or bushhogging. Also, it will be difficult to keep it clean and not knock out more seed. Basically, there will be little to no food for next year.

ABB,

Not sure about Lakeland sands. Ours are Wahee and Nemours, thats how I know about not liking it's feet wet. Thanks for the links. I'm going to try that!